Rotherham United hopeful of a new recruit by the end of the week

The Millers are hoping to add a midfielder to their ranks, with Warne known to be keen on Newcastle midfielder Dan Barlaser.

Warne remains coy about the identity of the target, other than to say he is a “midfielder or a wide man”.

“I am hopeful of getting an incoming this week,” the boss said. “It could be a midfielder or a wide man. It could be a midfielder who plays wide.

“I am ever hopeful. If it comes off, great. If it doesn't, we move on to the next target.

“I just think we are one or two away. If you told me we had to start with that 18 every week if they were definitely fit, that would be fine.

“But when two games a week come, it is going to be a long season so we need strength in depth.”

Warne is accruing a bloated squad with the likes of Jamie Proctor, Adam Thompson and Matt Olosunde not included in the travelling squad for the 1-1 draw at Birmingham on Saturday.

Warne is insistent he wants to trim his group, especially when it comes to having to name a 25-man squad in a couple of weeks.

But shipping players out is not as easy as it used to be.

“Outgoings not really, not yet,” he said when asked if anything was close.

“Outgoings are really tough this year, really tough. Players are being loaned out for virtually nothing because of the state we are in so movement out for players is difficult.”

“I have going to have to put my 25-man squad in soon and I have a limit. Players aren't stupid.

“After a few weeks of seeing they are not in the team or squad, they feel like their future is elsewhere.

“That is probably the case for a couple here.”